Sina Bahram was like lots of kids who struggle with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Except unlike most kids, Bahram is blind. This October, students with functional limitations like Bahram will have a chance to hear how he and others overcame challenges to become successful in STEM-related fields and are now helping others break down barriers.

The inaugural STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities[2] will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 10am to noon at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Students with developmental and/or physical disabilities, grades 3-12, will have the opportunity to interact with college students and professionals with a variety of disabilities who have forged successful career paths in STEM fields. Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy in the US Department of Labor, will open the event with a keynote presentation. Martinez, who has been blind since birth, is an internationally recognized leader in disability employment policy.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, the Museum and SAS created this event to let students network with role models who are pushing against the boundaries of knowledge, building innovative products, and creating the technologies of the future. The great jobs of today and tomorrow are in STEM. But people with disabilities remain underrepresented in these fields — in spite of recent advances in the accessibility of information technology and other tools used by working professionals.

Attendance is free.

The event is FULL! If you would be interested in being placed on a wait list, or attending future events please contact Liani Yirka directly at liani.yirka@naturalsciences.org[3] or 919.707.9887